SabrToothSqrl
Well-known member
Ok, I know it's not a Formula, but this thing was so odd, I just had to share it...
thoughts?!
thoughts?!
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Underwater Outboard?
- Thread starter SabrToothSqrl
- Start date
SabrToothSqrl
Well-known member
Fine, I'll start. First off WOW. What?! this engine lives UNDER water. that's... something. I give Rotax MAD credit for even thinking of this, let alone putting it into production. The choice of a 2 stroke seems odd to me, unless it was size/weight restricted? Merc hangs a 600HP v12 off an engine mount (that doesn't move left/right), so... we have the mounts covered. But you're also moving the weight far from the pivot point.
I can imagine cracking open the 'lid' in 500 hours and everything either being pristine and amazingly clean.. or covered in 2 stroke oil. I can't say I'm honestly a fan of the 2 stroke for this application. I know they've come a long long way, but the idea of burning oil to run an engine seems very 1980s.
They basically took an engine/bravo drive and just flipped the engine part. it frees up space in the boat for storage and no huge outboard on the back. I guess I'd be worried about bumping it into docks on the back, but that's true of any outboard.
If you combine this with the pivoting lower 1/2 of the Merc 600, that would be slick because you'd reduce the pivoting weight by an entire engine.
I can imagine cracking open the 'lid' in 500 hours and everything either being pristine and amazingly clean.. or covered in 2 stroke oil. I can't say I'm honestly a fan of the 2 stroke for this application. I know they've come a long long way, but the idea of burning oil to run an engine seems very 1980s.
They basically took an engine/bravo drive and just flipped the engine part. it frees up space in the boat for storage and no huge outboard on the back. I guess I'd be worried about bumping it into docks on the back, but that's true of any outboard.
If you combine this with the pivoting lower 1/2 of the Merc 600, that would be slick because you'd reduce the pivoting weight by an entire engine.
I agree that the concept is great. Wonder what kind of warranty it has? Hopefully, 500 hours or 5 years would be great.
I myself would have to wait until this takes off and is proven. I was one of the first Volvo Penta composite drive owners thinking that it was a great idea and all the corrosion issues were gone. Boy was I wrong.
I would also hope that the unit trims up out of the water, (hard to tell from the video) to prevent galvanic corrosion. I also will assume that the battery system needs to be charged all the time while in the water to keep the pumps working, air pressure up, etc. Lots of questions but love the idea.
I myself would have to wait until this takes off and is proven. I was one of the first Volvo Penta composite drive owners thinking that it was a great idea and all the corrosion issues were gone. Boy was I wrong.
I would also hope that the unit trims up out of the water, (hard to tell from the video) to prevent galvanic corrosion. I also will assume that the battery system needs to be charged all the time while in the water to keep the pumps working, air pressure up, etc. Lots of questions but love the idea.
Might not be a problem for a pontoon boat, but I could see issues getting up on plane because you are moving the weight further back.
I see a lot of things that could become issues and "outs" for BRP in warranty situations. "Oh you didn't follow the torquing procedure for the cover which is why you got water into it and destroyed you motor. So sorry."
Maybe I'm just too old school but I certainly won't be buying one.
I see a lot of things that could become issues and "outs" for BRP in warranty situations. "Oh you didn't follow the torquing procedure for the cover which is why you got water into it and destroyed you motor. So sorry."
Maybe I'm just too old school but I certainly won't be buying one.